Articles

Lindsay Johnson – My Everton Years

Lindsay Johnson – My Everton Years

As told to Rob Sawyer  Lindsay with Everton in 2004 Lindsay Johnson went from kicking a football on a patch of grass as a child, as she wasn’t allowed to play in a boys team, to becoming Everton Ladies’ record appearance-maker, a two-time cup winner and the proud winner of forty-three Lioness caps. She goes down as one of the smartest pieces of recruitment that Blues boss Mo Marley ever made. In May 2026, alongside her former teammate Becky Easton, she was inducted into Everton Women’s Hall of Fame. I sat down for a coffee with Lindsay and discussed her…
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James Prescott: Architect of the Original Goodison Park 

James Prescott: Architect of the Original Goodison Park 

Jamie Yates Think of Goodison Park and what comes to mind? So many memories. Walking up to the ground from whichever angle your matchday routine dictates, that bright flash of green as you emerge up the steps and take in the pitch for the first time, the towering Goodison Road main stand, Archibald Leitch’s famous lattice steelwork patterns adorning the front of the upper balcony of the Bullens Road in blue and white. Leitch became the preeminent architect during the first wave of great football stadia in the early decades of the twentieth century. His work became part of the…
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Becky Easton and Lindsay Johnson Inducted into the Hall of Fame

Becky Easton and Lindsay Johnson Inducted into the Hall of Fame

By Rob Sawyer Following the successful launch of the Everton Women’s Hall of Fame in the autumn of 2025, at which Louise Thomas, Joy McQuiggan, Mo Marley, Billy Jackson and Cathy Gore were inducted, the selection panel recently announced two new stars to join them. Becky Easton and Lindsay Johnson were duly inducted shortly before kick-off at the last match of the season, against Leicester City at Goodison Park. Everton Ladies squad summer 1998 Wirral-raised Becky enjoyed a long and illustrious career in club and international football. In all, she had three spells with the club, first when it played…
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An Evening of Two Halves with Jamie Yates and Peter Lupson

An Evening of Two Halves with Jamie Yates and Peter Lupson

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Royden For the fifth event in the Spring 2026 series of Everton FC Heritage Society social/talk evenings, we were graced with the presence of two separate speakers during a night of two halves. (photo: Lewis Royden) First up was Peter Lupson, a former teacher, and a founder member of The Everton FC Heritage Society, who was present at the inaugural meeting back in 2008. Peter is also a former vice-chair of the society. He has authored several books (including school texts), such as Thank God For Football, and Across the Park. Peter took us through a fascinating journey…
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‘Everton FC in Everton Day’ – 9 May 2026 – Noon-2pm

‘Everton FC in Everton Day’ – 9 May 2026 – Noon-2pm

On Saturday 9 May between Noon and 2pm, the Everton FC Heritage Society, in tandem with the Friends of Everton Park (FOEP), once again opened up the Everton Lock-Up below Browside, for a special ‘Everton FC in Everton Day.’ https://youtu.be/mK9MLE-oCEU?si=1WbJL3NILL4xVh6k Video filmed by Rob Sawyer and edited by Lewis Royden Rob Sawyer, who was one of Everton FC Heritage Society's representatives on the day, reports on the event; A Report on the ‘Everton FC in Everton Day’ 2026 Rob Sawyer Although Everton FC, and its previous incarnation as St Domingo chapel football team, has never played football in the Everton…
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Everton FC in Everton Day

Everton FC in Everton Day

Ken Rogers (Photos - Rob Sawyer) The historic lock-up tower at the heart of Everton FC’s famous badge will once again be open to the public next Saturday (9 May, noon to 2pm) as the Friends of Everton Park and members of the Official EFC Heritage Society come together to provide a candlelight insight into the remarkable history of this famous structure that has stood below Brow Side for 239 years.  The Lock-Up, often wrongly referred to locally as Prince Rupert’s Castle, was built in 1787, one of just two such village structures in the city, the other being in…
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Hey Blues – Paul McCartney at Goodison Park in 1968

Hey Blues – Paul McCartney at Goodison Park in 1968

Rob Sawyer Hey Jude / Revolution Monday 26 August 1968 saw the release of arguably The Beatle’s greatest single (and, yes, there are several strong candidates for that accolade*). Originally inspired by John Lennon’s son, Julian, Hey Jude, Paul McCartney’ seven-minute opus, featuring a four-minute chorus-cum-outro, would sit atop of British pop charts for two weeks. It would be knocked off its perch by  another McCartney composition, Those Were The Days, sung by Mary Hopkin. [* Sorry Rob, that has to be Strawberry Fields/Penny Lane. ;-) ed. ] Remarkably, a day after Beatles fans first rushed to grab copies of…
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Torry Gillick – Revered at Goodison Park and Ibrox

Torry Gillick – Revered at Goodison Park and Ibrox

Rob Sawyer Scotland’s recent match at Hill Dickinson stadium was the third time the Scottish national team had played at an Everton venue (previously v England in 1895 and 1911). This set my mind thinking about which Scottish Toffees I'd love to have seen gracing Goodison Park or the Blues’ new stadium. Foremost in my thoughts are John Bell, the charismatic forward of the 1890s, Sandy Young, our 1906 FA Cup Final goalscorer, Alex Young, our Golden Vision, ace number nine Graeme Sharp, and Torry Gillick, a hero of Everton’s 1938/39 title-winning team. The latter is the focus of this article…
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Henry Newton (1944-2026) – an Obituary

Henry Newton (1944-2026) – an Obituary

Rob Sawyer Harry Catterick smashed Everton’s transfer fee record in October 1970 to secure the services of Nottingham Forest midfielder Henry Newton, whose death at the age of 82 was announced on 14 April 2026. Sadly, things didn’t work out as hoped, for the club and player in the early 1970s, for a variety of reasons. Happily for Henry, he enjoyed a satisfying and silverware-laden period post-Everton, in his native East Midlands with Derby County. Born 18 February 1944, Henry joined his local club Nottingham Forest at fifteen, having gained England Schoolboy honours. Four months shy of his 20th birthday,…
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Alec Troup – Small in Stature, Mighty in Impact

Alec Troup – Small in Stature, Mighty in Impact

Rob Sawyer Dixie Dean’s goalscoring exploits gained legendary status, long before he hung up his boots in 1939. His instincts and ability to plunder goals were unsurpassed, but he was always quick to recognise the contribution to his remarkable goal haul of his Everton wingmen. Without their ‘assists’, to coin the modern parlance, his figures would still have been impressive, but somewhat less so. Bobby Irvine, Sam Chedgzoy, Ted Critchley, Jimmy Stein, Albert Geldard, Jack Coulter and Torry Gillick were all top class outside rights and lefts, but it is fair to say that Dean’s highest praise was reserved for…
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